Saturday, 30 November 2013

I am very proud to be part of the Moths and More Exhibition at the Greenstede Gallery in the Chequermead Arts Centre, East Grinstead. With ceramics, textiles, jewellery, and paper cuts on display, the gallery looks beautiful.

Work by Emma Vining, Jane White, Jackie O'Malley and Brenda Parsons

My layered paper cuts are hand cut using a scalpel. Each piece is made up of several layers and mounted so that the depth of the work is enhanced by shadows. The centre three studies are hand cut layered paper combined with ink drawings.

My Horseshoe Lake layered paper cuts were inspired by the trees in the Mammoth Lakes Area in California.

Horseshoe Lake Tree Slice 1 by Emma Vining

Horseshoe Lake Tree Slice 2 by Emma Vining

A View of London is inspired by a photo montage of views from the South bank towards St Pauls.

A View of London by Emma Vining

My hand knitted Kagome Cardigan has recently been on display at the Knitting and Stitching Shows in Harrogate and Alexandra Palace as part of the UK Hand Knitting Association's Knitted Textile Awards. It looks great next to Jackie's Kimono and alongside Jane's ceramics!

The work in the exhibition by the Moths and More artists is very beautiful and varied. Alex Duncan works with stitching and mixed media to make the beautiful landscapes shown here.

work by Alex Duncan

Brenda Parsons is inspired by urban landscapes, the natural environment and the richness of international cultures.

work by Brenda Parsons

work by Brenda Parsons

Jackie O'Malley's gorgeous obi belts look fantastic on the woodland inspired backgrounds and the kimono on the wall is stunning.

work by Jackie O'Malley

Jane White makes hand built and burnished ceramics which derive their colours and patterns from firing with organic material in a large open pit. Each piece that emerges from the ashes is totally unique.

Work by Jane White

Work by Jane White

Work by Jane White

The Moths and More Exhibition is on from Friday 29th November until Wednesday 4th December (closed Sunday).

Tuesday, 26 November 2013

A huge thank you to all the really friendly people I met in Harrogate at the Knitting & Stitching Show! From the other Finalists on the UKHKA Knitted Textile Award stand to the Exhibitors and all the visitors to the show, every person I talked to made my trip to Harrogate a great experience.

My Kagome Cardigan at the Harrogate Knitting & Stitching Show

We were very busy throughout all four days of the Show. The comments about my Kagome cardigan were really nice and lots of people will be looking out for the pattern in The Knitter Magazine when it is published next year.

It has been great being surrounded by so much amazing talent in the Knitted Textile Awards Open Category. Very inspiring! The Gold Award winning Random Acts of Kindness by Sally Spinks were hanging next to Linda Doran's gorgeous knitted artworks with their stunning texture and perspective.

Work by Emma Vining, Linda Doran and Sally Spinks

Textile Art by Linda Doran

Random Acts of Kindness by Sally Spinks

Random Acts of Kindness by Sally Spinks

Nicky Barfoot's beautiful and elegant Silver Award winning knitted life drawings were hanging next to Amanda Puleston's stunning knitted photographs (that no-one could believe were knitted in one piece!).

Nicky and Amanda's Work

Knitted Life Drawing by Nicky Barfoot

Knitted Photographs by Amanda Puleston

The reception in the Royal Hall on Thursday evening was a lovely way to end the first day and see Sally, Nicky and Judith Watson be presented with their certificates.

Front doors to the Royal Hall

The Knitted Nativity inside the Royal Hall

I did get a chance to look around Harrogate and found some lovely shops and very nice restaurants. I'm looking forward to using my purchases from Duttons for Buttons.

The tea at Betty's was lovely and I enjoyed my fish and chips too!

The dates for next year's Knitting and Stitching Shows are already set and in the diary!

Monday, 18 November 2013

My Sugar Kelp Sweater pattern has been published in the Pro Guide to Knitting. I am delighted my design has been included in this lovely publication for knitters who would like to learn new techniques. Inspired by a walk on the beach, the Sugar Kelp cable is based on the beautiful seaweed fronds washed ashore. I have used cabling, increasing and decreasing to form a lattice on a reverse stocking stitch background. The pattern makes up the central panel and a small cable motif at the cuffs.

Image courtesy of Future Publishing

Image courtesy of Future Publishing

The pattern was first published in the Knitter Magazine, Issue 55, January 2013. My previous blog post can be viewed by clicking here and other Sugar Kelp sweater projects can be viewed on Ravelry.

Information about the Pro Guide from Future Publishing:

"Aimed at knitters who are already comfortable with the basics and want to learn more, the Pro Guide has 162 pages packed with step-by-step guides and beautiful patterns to help you master new techniques. We've gathered a wealth of expertise on subjects as diverse as cables, colourwork, cast on and embroidery to help you take your knitting to the next level. Our step-by-step guides are clear and easy to follow with photographs to show you exactly what to do. And, so that you can hone your new skills, we've selected 14 beautiful patterns from The Knitter magazine, created by some of the most talented names in knitting. Each project is guaranteed to give you hours of crafting pleasure. If you're inspired by everything you learn and itching to get creative, we've even got a section about how to go about creating your own designs. And a final chapter, Materials and Tools, helps with practicalities such as substituting yarns and choosing the best needles for your project."

Contents Include:

Casting on and off

Shaping techniques

Knit in rounds

Lace knitting

Cable knitting

Colour knitting

Embellishing your knits

Finishing knits

Discovering designing

Materials and tools

The Pro Guide to Knitting costs £9.99 and is on sale now in the UK in WH Smith and leading newsagents, or by mail order through the website My Favourite Magazines www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk. It's also available to everyone anywhere in the world as a digital version to read on iPads, phones and other devices. Go to http://www.theknitter.co.uk/digital to download the free app within which you can purchase the digital Pro Guide.

Sunday, 17 November 2013

There was an excellent line up of speakers at the Knitting History Forum Conference on Saturday 9th November. Subjects ranging from Aran knits to costumes for film and tv, were presented alongside knitted archeology and the origins of crochet.

The conference began with a presentation by V&A curator, Susan North. Whilst researching linen fabrics through published inventories, Susan had come across interesting information about knitting in Great Britain pre 1800. Susan looked at who was making the tools for knitting, who was selling them and how households managed their knitted garment needs. My favourite example was the 27 pure silk knitted stockings purchased by Henry Percy, 9th Earl of Northumberland between 1585 and 1587!

Amanda Mason, Historian at The Imperial War Museum talked to us about knitting during the Second World War. Amanda was interviewed for the BBC4 programme, the Fabric of Britain, discussing some of the IWM collection of knitwear made by Prisoners Of War. On the home front, Amanda showed us a typical scene of knitting for the Forces, represented in Eleanor Dunbar's The Knitting Party. Substantial contracts were taken on by The WI and the WRVS, producing socks, sweaters and carrying out approximately 3 million mends. In 2015, uniforms, clothes rations and make do and mend will be the subjects of the IWM Exhibition, Fashion on the Ration: 1940s Street Style.

The Knitting Party by Eleanor Dunbar

Costume designer Maria Price has made use of the IWM collection for her research when working on costumes for productions such as Foyle's War. Her other projects include Victoria and Albert and Mike Leigh's Secrets and Lies. Maria uses Angels Costumiers to source much of the period clothing as well as occasionally commissioning knitted garments. She told us that the texture of a garment is very important, but that this attention to detail can be undone if, for example the director chooses subdued lighting. As an example of working within budget constraints, Maria told us that sometimes modern socks are used with a period knitted cuff added to the top!

Honeysuckle Weeks in Foyle's War

Rachael Matthews talk was an amazing journey through her creative process. By the end of her wonderful presentation, I felt that I had travelled all over the UK and through time too! In particular, I loved her knitted accounts based on her shop spreadsheets, her knitted relics and archaeological finds and her beautiful 'bed jumper' with darning. Her shop in Bethnal Green is Prick Your Finger.

Relics by Rachael Matthews

Matteo Molinari, phd candidate at London College of Fashion, also took us on a journey. This time to discover new insights into the origins of crochet. He presented his research findings on the history of crochet and its similarity to other techniques such as afghan crochet, netting, sprang, nalbinding and tambour. His fascinating profile of Nano Nagle included her role in the development of fine Irish crochet.

Barbara Smith, the publications curator of the Knitting and Crochet guild talked to us about the Evolution of Aran Style. The myths associated with the origins of Aran sweaters were looked at in turn and Barbara had found interesting reference points to show when Aran terminology appeared in knitting pattern books in the UK and the USA. Aran patterns became more standardised in the 1960s and Barbara told us about a possible link to the Clancy Brothers and their USA tour. When a harsh winter was predicted for New York, Mrs Clancy sent over 4 Aran sweaters to keep them warm. The sweaters became their widely publicised trademark image!

Many thanks to the Chair of the Knitting History Forum, Professor Sandy Black for hosting this excellent conference at London College Of Fashion.

Thursday, 31 October 2013

Southampton's Sea City Museum Pavilion is the setting for The First Cut. This fascinating Exhibition brings together a diverse selection of works that all use paper. From tiny detailed illuminated book art by Su Blackwell through to the stunning 'Stellar Spire in the Eagle Nebula' installation by Andy Singleton, The First Cut features work by 30 international contemporary artists.

The First Cut Exhibition, Sea City Museum PavilionPhoto by Emma Vining

As you enter the Exhibition, work by Andreas Kocks has the appearance of giant paint brush strokes on the wall. On closer inspection, the brush strokes reveal themselves as inky black graphite covered paper which has been cut and layered to make 3D form. Clever pinning raises the work off the wall and creates shadows that add a whole other dimension.

3 Venues #1311G 2013 by Andreas Kocks

Rob Ryan's 'The Map of My Entire Life' is a huge work that is full of incredibly detailed cuts with text and imagery representing his theme of a melancholic elegy on life and death. Rob Ryan will be speaking at the V&A Museum in November and I am very happy to have a ticket to this talk!

The Map of My Entire Life by Rob Ryan

Andy Singleton's Stellar Spire in the Eagle Nebula is a stunning suspended 3D work that is made up of many interwoven hand cut parts. The combination of this complex work and the shadows cast around it makes it move and swirl before your eyes. Visit Andy Singleton's website to see more of his amazing works.

Stellar Spire in the Eagle Nebula by Andy Singleton

Stellar Spire in the Eagle Nebula by Andy Singleton

The animation by Andersen M Studio will stop you in your tracks! I watched several times, completely captivated by the movement and detail in this paper cut animation. A still from one scene is shown in the artist book next to the screen. Going West can be viewed on the Andersen M Studio website.

Going West Scene, 2010, Andersen M Studio

Su Blackwell's works are full of exquisite tiny hand cut details that encourage you to look very closely to admire them. Roses from Sonnets is a handcut 3D book sculpture on display. Su Blackwell's website has more examples of her beautiful work.

Roses from Sonnets by Su Blackwell

Laura Cooperman's 'Spin' combines paper cuts with the movement of rotating gears. Turning the wheel changes the shadows and orientations, making this a beautiful, dynamic, interactive work. More information can be found on Laura Cooperman's website.

Spin by Laura Cooperman

Sarah Bridgland's Matemaatika is a 3D drawing using tiny components that are delicately balanced. You can view more of her amazing work on Sarah Bridgland's website.

Matemaatika by Sarah Bridgland

There are many more outstanding works to see in this exhibition and each is beautifully crafted and displayed. The Sea City Museum has lots of related events for all ages to explore and enjoy paper cutting and manipulation.

The pattern for this Cowl was inspired by glacial landscapes formed during the Ice Age - in particular, small rounded hills called drumlins and depressions in the ground made by melting ice, called kettle holes.

The cowl can be worn right side out, with the drumlin mounds nestled in the kettle holes or wrong side out with the mounds pushed in to make kettle holes.

Drumlins by Emma Vining
in the Knitter, Issue 64

Drumlins by Emma Vining
in the Knitter, Issue 64

The pattern is in the Cosy Cable Knits Supplement included with this month's issue along with a gorgeous Open Cable Sleeve sweater by Debbie Bliss and a Schachenmayr Original Cape, Legwarmer and Hat set of patterns called Agnethe.

Errata
Thank you to Jennifer for letting me know about an error in the Drumlins pattern published in The Knitter Magazine. There is a 'K1' instead of a 'P1' in pattern Row 10. Row 10 should be as follows:
Row 10 (WS): P1, *yrn, P6, Sl1, P2tog, psso, P6, yrn, P1*, rep from * to * to the end of row.

Day four was a little sad for us all on the Knitted Textiles Award Stand as it was our last day to talk to visitors before we packed up for the move to the Harrogate Knitting and Stitching Show, November 21st to 24th 2013.

I finally got the chance to visit the UKHKA Woodland PicKnit in the Palm Court. Up to today it had been too busy to leave our stand in the Textiles Gallery. Lovely to see all the knitting that has been going on during the Show.

UKHKA PicKnit in the Palm Court, Alexandra Palace

UKHKA PicKnit in the Palm Court, Alexandra Palace

I also took the opportunity to walk around the Show first thing in the morning. I saw so much gorgeous yarn in an incredible array of shades and met some very friendly people on the exhibitor stands.

Happily for knitters everywhere there is much more knitting going on during Wool Week this week! The Campaign for Wool has lots of events listed on it's website, such as Pic Knit at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park on 20th October and Knit Nation at John Lewis in London and Edinburgh.

Monday, 14 October 2013

Day Three at the Knitting and Stitching Show was one of the busiest days I have ever seen at Alexandra Palace! We were very happy that so many enthusiastic visitors came to talk to us on the Knitted Textile Awards Stand.

During the afternoon, the Winners of the Knitted Textile Awards, Open Category were announced. Gold in the Open Category went to the extremely talented Sally Spinks with her fabulous work, Random Acts of Kindness. As well as being incredibly delicate and beautiful, Sally's work brought a smile to the face of every visitor. Visit Sally's website to see the wonderful images and contents of the bell jars more closely.

Random Acts of Kindness by Sally Spinks

Random Acts of Kindness by Sally Spinks

Silver in the Open Category went to Nicky Barfoot and her beautiful knitted life paintings. Visit Nicky's blog to see the work in detail and how she developed her idea from her amazing life paintings to the stunning knitted art she displayed at Alexandra Palace.

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About Me

I am an enthusiastic and creative knitter with a strong interest in the design and technical aspects of knitting. In this regard, I am proud to be a contributor to magazines such as The Knitter, Simply Knitting and Knit Today and a designer for Yarn Stories.
As an active member of the Knitting & Crochet Guild, I regularly contribute articles to the Guild publication, Slipknot. You can always find me on the Guild Stand at events like the Knitting and Stitching Show, so please come along and say hello!
As well as being an experienced knitter, I am City and Guilds qualified, having completed the Level Three Certificate and Diploma in Hand Knit Textiles.
An important part of my design research involves attending knitting events such as the Knitting and Stitching Show, The Knitting History Forum and the ‘In the Loop’ Conferences. Additionally, I find lots of inspiration at the Victoria and Albert Museum through gallery visits and participating in events, talks and study days.
On my knitting needles at the moment are new projects and designs that combine multiple techniques with innovative ideas.